06-07-00:  ATC simulations appear to be entering a renaissance this year.  Aerosoft continues to work on its ATC2000, described as a highly accurate simulation of both ENROUTE and TRACON centers complete with photo-realistic radar panels.   Randall Hook recently released an early version of LOCAL 1, a freeware control tower simulation.  Although still in the relatively early stages, it will include aircraft and airport editors to allow users to create their own airports for the simulation.

Wesson announced some weeks ago that they were suspending their Tower/Tracon update program.  Oh well.  Until something better comes along, Tower is now available as "abandonware" at the Underdogs' site.  FSCentral was still selling the simulation, but recently removed Tower from their online catalog.

If you are interested in Air Traffic Control, here are links to some shareware and commercial simulators you might enjoy:

Freeware/Shareware:

Air Command ATC -- Very unrealistic (how many United B747s fly into Catalina, anyways?), but pleasant, in a beer-and-pretzels way.

Aircom -- Similar to SATCO (see below), Aircom, when completed, promises a on-line, real-time European-style ATC environment for controllers and pilots.

ARTCC -- Enroute center simulation created by an ex-controller.  Easily customizable for many different areas around the US.

ATCgame.zip -- An old classic.  Small, simple, and a good place to start. A tad unrealistic, it nevertheless introduces you to many aspects of ATC as you perform Tracon at an imaginary airport.  (The author has updated this program many times, but new versions seem to be available only paid subscriptions to shareware distributors.)

ATC Radar Simulator -- FREE A fun, free enroute center control in Europe.  Similar to RadarSim (see below), but simpler, and relatively easy to make your own scenarios.

Local 1 -- FREE  Randall Hook's new control tower simulation project.  Looks very promising.  Drop by and see what's cooking.

RadarSim -- Very good simulation of a European enroute center control in the Netherlands.  Integrates cutting edge ATC control systems in a highly researched simulator.  (Demo available.)

SATCO Headquarters -- How about acting as a real-time controller for Flight Simulator pilots on the Internet?  Join SATCO, download the program, get certified, and control the ground, tower, approach, departure, or enroute center with real people! Download

TMA --  Freeware simulation of a Terminal Area/Tracon sector.  Uses the actual schedule for the airports, so you are controlling the "real" flights and departing flights use actual SIDS.  Game comes with the Rome/Roma sector, but new sectors are available as well as a tutorial for designing your own sectors.  For a complete version including pilot voices, contact Alessandro Trovato.

Commercial Programs:

Air Traffic Control Center -- Xavius' complex, but utterly realistic and addictive ATC simulator.  Although progress on the version 2.0 has been stalled, Xavius is now providing version 1.0 of ATCC (without voices) for free.  You can't get much better than that.  Or, maybe you can:  Xavius is planning to release version 2.0 of their simulator before Christmas!  For add-on sectors, visit Spongey's page.

ATC Simulator -- Just went gold and was shipped just this past week, Aerosoft's ATC Simulator (formerly ATC 2000) covers dozens of Tracon sectors and looks like it will be very much worth the wait .  They've updated their webpage again, providing new screenshots and info. --Hey, let's hear some reviews, people.--

Tracon II -- Also known as "Tracon for Windows," Wesson's ATC game isn't as realistic as ATCC, but it is fun, and is a fairly good introduction to ATC.  Covers approach and departure control over six different airports.  Creating your own sectors is relatively easy as well.  Wesson may release an update of this classic game this year.

Tower --  Control traffic at one of three airports with a 360 degree view of the airport.  Showing its age, but there is still nothing else like it.  Download it from page number 4 under "simulations" at http://www.theunderdogs.org.  8+meg zip file includes complete manual in on-line help.

For a more detailed description and review of some of these simulations see Ton van Bochove's ATC page.